Page 49 of Soul Sucker

He met her gaze. “Because I am concerned about your welfare.”

“And you need me in one piece to help solve this situation.”

“Exactly. If my boss hears that another empath has withdrawn from a case I’m working on, she’s going to get all the wrong ideas.”

“So you’re not being noble, you’re just being selfish?”

“That’s correct.”

She searched his shields but could sense nothing of his true intent or his feelings. “Okay. At least you’re being straight with me. So how are you going to fix this? Are you going to wave your magic wand?”

“I don’t have one.” He smiled. “I don’t need one. Try the key again.”

She did and the engine roared into life. She threw him a sideways glance. “What exactly are you, again?”

He pointed at the exit. “I’d keep the engine running and just head out.”

* * *

As they crawledacross the Golden Gate Bridge, Vadim sat back and let the breeze blow through the open window. It was a curious smell, a mixture of the open sea and the briny waters of the bay, and gave off a metallic odor that reminded him of the taste of blood. Unconsciously, Vadim licked his lips and tasted salt and the faintest hint of the candy-flavored lip-gloss Ella wore. Her ability to separate her emotions from her job impressed him. Like him, she’d learned at a young age to conceal her feelings and focus on surviving. Okay, so she might not have faced death on a daily basis as he had, but as a young female torn away from her family and forced to claim a gift she must have hated, she definitely knew how to detach herself.

He’d heard her trying to persuade Liz to go out with her for a drink and had found himself worrying about her being out and alone while a serial killer targeting female empaths was on the loose. She wasn’t stupid, but he knew from experience that alcohol had a way of dulling even the most exceptional psychic powers. When Feehan had called him back and asked if he might consider keeping an eye on Ella overnight, he had been more than willing to oblige. After what he’d seen in the Fae-Web, he knew his and Ella’s fates were somehow intertwined, and he’d become an expert at self-preservation. Even if it meant consorting with an empath, he’d do whatever it took to stay alive. He was also more than willing to get drunk with her if that’s what she needed. He always wished there had been someone with him when his brother had died…

“Here we are.”

“You live here?”

Vadim got out of the car and looked up at the quaint Victorian style house perched on the side of the hill. Outside steps to the front door ran up to the second level. The backyard thrust upward from the house like an open fan with small terraces and opportunities to turn and admire the breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city beyond.

“The house was built in the late 1800’s for one of the foremen who managed the railway line that ran along the coast road.”

“So it’s original.”

“And pretty damn old for California.” She found her keys and started toward the lower level of the house, which Vadim realized had its own entrance on the other side of the property. “The owners recently restored it and created the basement apartment.”

“It’s beautiful,” Vadim said, his gaze still drawn to the awesome view of the bridge and the city beyond. “You can breathe out here.”

Ella glanced back at him over her shoulder. “Yes, you can. Are you coming in?”

“If that’s okay.”

“I don’t really have much of a choice, do I? Unless you’re a really good swimmer I reckon you’re stuck in Tiburon for the night.”

He followed her into the apartment and paused just inside the open door. He wasn’t quite sure what he’d been expecting, but this warm, inviting modern space wasn’t it. The floors and kitchen cupboards were cherry wood, the countertops granite and the furniture mostly cream. There was a big window at the front that had glimpses of the bay.

“Shut the door, you’re letting the bugs in.” He came in and watched as Ella dumped her keys and purse on the countertop. “I’m going to change. Do you want a beer?”

“I’ll have some water, if that’s okay.”

“Help yourself. I think there’s a bottle in the refrigerator.”

She disappeared through an open door. Vadim caught a glimpse of a double bed covered in discarded clothes before she shut the door behind her. He went over to the stainless steel refrigerator and opened it. The white wire shelves contained a six-pack of beer, two water bottles and a carton of eggs.

He took some water and retired to sit on the couch that faced the view. His stomach growled and it occurred to him that he hadn’t eaten since breakfast. The refrigerator door slammed and he turned to see Ella retrieving a bottle of beer and coming toward him. She’d changed into baggy shorts and a sleeveless top that looked as if it had come into contact with a bleach bottle.

“You live in a beautiful place.”

She sat on the couch beside him, drawing her legs up underneath her.

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